Cheek-piece for bridle-bits



(No Model.)

F. A. CLARK.

I GHEGK PIECE FOR BRIDLB BITS.

No. 565,432. Patented Aug. 11, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

FREDERIC A. CLARK, OF IORTLAND, MAINE.

CHEEK-PIECE FOR BRlDLE-BITS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,432 dated August 11, 1896.

A plication filed December 23, 1895. Serial No. 578,015. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERIO A. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cheek-Pieces for Bridle-Bits; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de- 'scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in bridle-bits for horses, and particularly to a bit provided with cheek-pieces which prevent the bit from being pulled laterally through the mouth and at the same time acts as a curb when desired.

My bit has at each end a removable cheekpiece having an opening in which fits the end of the bit with a vertical slot connected with said opening and being of sufficient length to admit the ring of the bit. The lower ends of the cheek-pieces are connected by means of a chin-strap and the upper ends are provided with loops or eyes into which the ends of the overdraw-check are fastened. Vhen an additional curb action is desired, a stiffening piece of metal is secured along the side of the slot and opening. The cheek-pieces are so adjusted that when a pull is exerted on the reins and the horses head is drawn down they act as levers, forcing the chin-strap up under the chin and the bit down on top of the jaw.

I have illustrated a bit in the accompanying drawings constructed according to my invention, and I have shown the same in position in the horses mouth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bit; and Fig. 21s a side view of a horses head, showing the bit in position.

A represents the bit, which is here shown as a straight bit, although the improvement works well with bits of other construction. B is the ring and C is the cheek-piece, which has an opening g, in which the end of the bit fits. Connected with the opening g is a vertical slot 0, extending upward far enough so that the ring B can pass through when the cheek-piece is to be put on or taken off. In the upper end of the cheek-piece is the loop or opening d, to which is secured the lower end of the overdraw-check h. The lower ends of the two cheek-pieces are connected by means of a latch or strap D, adapted to pass under the horses chin and to be adjusted as to its length to fit loosely or closely. The adjustment is effected by the buckle 6.

It will be seen that when a pull is exerted on the reins the head will be drawn down and an upward pull exerted on the upper ends of the cheek-pieces by the overdraw-check.

The cheek-piece will turn on the bit as a pivot and the chin-strap will be forced up under the horses chin, and the bit at the same time will be held down against the upper side of the jaw.

If the cheek-pieces are made of ordinary leather, the pressure of the chin-strap will be comparatively light, because the upper portion of the cheek-pieces will bend under the pull of the oheckrein; but if a more severe check is required a stiffening-piece f, preferably of metal, is secured to each cheek-piece on one side of the slot and opening. This stiflfeningpiece may be secured on the inside of the cheek-piece, as herein shown, or on the outside; but if it is on the inside next to the horses mouth it must be of thin metal and smoothed off so as not to chafe the surface of the skin.

It will be seen that my device takes the place of the old style of washers or cheekpieces, which required to be held apart by hand when the bit was put into the mouth, and that it forms a practical check-bit, which holds the jaw firmly and prevents it from being pulled down.

I claim- 1. The herein-described bit having a removable check-piece at each end thereof, each of said cheek-pieces having an opening in which the end of the bit proper fits, said opening connecting with a vertical slot which extends upward from it and having a loop at the upper end to receive the overdraw-cheek, the lower ends of the cheek-pieces being connected by means of a latch or strap adapted to pass under the chin.

2. The herein-described bit having a removable check-piece at each end thereof, each of said cheek-pieces having an opening in which the end of the bit proper fits, said opening connecting with a Vertical slot which extends upward from it and having a loop at the top to receive the end of the overdrawcheck and a stiifening-piece secured to said cheek-piece at one side of said opening and slot, the lower ends of said cheek-pieces being connected by means of a latch or strap adapted to pass under the chin. 10

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FREDERIO A. CLARK. Vitnesses S. W. BATES, E. DUDLEY FREEMAN. 

